It’s been a messy week but in the midst of a battle with allergies, fatigue and a great lack of organization I was encouraged.

All I could see was the mess.  The school books scattered and miscellaneous items on the dining room table. Headbands, paperwork, mail and Legos scattered on the counter in the kitchen.  That sense that I would never get my head above water began to seep in.  Then my eye caught four small printed words on an Easter decoration scattered in the mess.

So who hasn’t always wanted an angel to come to them with just the words they needed to hear.  Even though this one was made out of paper glued to a toilet paper roll, that is truly what happened to me this past week (see above picture)!  An Easter story display made by the kids had been lying on the counter waiting to be arranged for days.  This angel holding out the words of life waiting to be seen amongst the clutter of life.

He is Risen! Alleluia!

Four words that my faith hinges on.

Four words that mean everything.

Four words that remind of all that I am thankful for as I read through Hebrews.

These aren’t just empty rote words we announce first thing each Sunday morning…especially this Sunday morning.

These have meaning…powerful life changing meaning.

Not just for that moment when I decided to believe it.  But for right now in this swirling mess of life…they represent life changing truths.

He is alive and has conquered death and sin.

Hebrews 10:11-14-And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. ¹⁴ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Hebrews 9:24-26 – ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

He is alive and lives to make intercession for us.  How does knowing that Jesus prays for you impact you in your times of greatest discouragement?

Heb 7:23-27 –  The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermostthose who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.²⁶ For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

He is alive and we have a minister in the holy places. How does knowing that Jesus is your minister change you as you worship at church and in the ordinary moments of life?

Hebrews 8:1-2-Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, ² a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Hebrews 2:14-18 – Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

He is alive and is coming back for us. Are you feeling hopeful?

Hebrews 9:27-28 – And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

In all of my overwhelming messes of life and even in my most sinful moments, I can come boldly to my priest who lives forever to minister to me.  He sympathizes. He intercedes.  He has redeemed and continues to redeem every aspect of my life.  He is faithful in all of these things.

Hebrews 10:19-25 – Therefore, brothers,since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

For the joy set before Him to make us His people and to live to minister to us, He endured the cross.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Blessings to you this Easter as you experience this truth: Jesus is Alive! Alleluia!

Linking up with these sweet ladies this week: